RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

PRIMER: Development of Daily Online Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Magnetic Resonance Image Guided Radiotherapy

This study, called PRIMER, is working on a new way to guide radiotherapy for cancer. Current methods use X-ray scans, which expose patients to extra radiation and can be blurry, making it hard to target tumours precisely. This new technology, called an MR Linac, combines an MRI scanner with a radiotherapy machine. MRI gives much clearer pictures of tumours and doesn't use X-rays, meaning no extra radiation exposure. By getting clearer images, doctors hope to treat tumours more accurately, reducing harm to healthy tissues and leading to better results with fewer side effects. We are looking for healthy volunteers and patients already having radiotherapy to help us develop and test this new imaging approach.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom

Enrolment target

173

Start

17 Oct 2017

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Adenocarcinoma

What is this study about?

Imagine you're having radiotherapy for cancer. At the moment, doctors use X-ray scans, like those from a CT scanner, to see where the tumour is. These scans are taken before and sometimes during your treatment. The problem is, these X-ray scans aren't always super clear, and they expose you to a bit more radiation. Also, because tumours can move or shrink, doctors have to treat a slightly larger area around it just to be safe. This means some healthy tissue nearby also gets radiation, which can unfortunately lead to side effects.

This study is all about making radiotherapy much more precise and safer. We're developing a revolutionary new machine called an MR Linac. Think of it as a super-advanced MRI scanner combined with a radiotherapy machine. MRI gives incredibly detailed pictures of your body, much clearer than X-rays, helping doctors tell the difference between healthy tissue and a tumour. The best part? MRI doesn't use X-rays, so there's no additional radiation exposure.

The goal is to use these super-clear MRI pictures during radiotherapy to pinpoint the tumour exactly. This means doctors can deliver radiation much more accurately, reducing the amount of healthy tissue that gets treated. We believe this will lead to higher success rates in treating cancer and significantly fewer side effects for patients. To make sure this new technology works perfectly, we need to gather lots of MRI pictures from both healthy volunteers and patients already having radiotherapy. Your participation would help us develop the best ways to use this machine for future cancer treatments.

Key takeaways

New MR Linac aims to improve cancer radiotherapy.
Uses MRI for super-clear images, not X-rays.
Goal: more precise tumour targeting, fewer side effects.
Study collects MRI images from volunteers and patients.
No extra radiation exposure during imaging.
Helps develop future cancer treatments.

Who may be eligible?

To explore if you might be suitable for this study, there are a few simple things to check. You need to be at least 18 years old if you're a healthy volunteer. If you're a patient volunteer, you'll need to have had a specific type of cancer confirmed by a doctor and be receiving radiotherapy at either The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust or The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. We also welcome paediatric patient volunteers aged 3 to 18, with consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Everyone participating must feel well enough, usually able to do most normal daily activities without much difficulty. Also, it’s really important that you can understand what the study involves and agree to take part. Your safety during the MRI scan is paramount, so you must be able to safely undergo an MRI scan.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For instance, if you have certain types of metal implants in your body, like a pacemaker, cochlear implant, or some older metal joints, you wouldn't be able to have an MRI. We also can't include people with certain health conditions that could make an MRI risky, such as some seizure conditions or if you are pregnant.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you able to have an MRI safely (no pacemakers, certain metal implants)?
Are you a healthy adult aged 18 or over?
Are you a cancer patient (aged 3 or over) receiving radiotherapy at Royal Marsden or The Christie?
Do you feel well enough for regular daily activities?
Can you understand the study information and give your consent?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your involvement will focus on having special MRI scans. For healthy volunteers, this will involve attending a session for imaging. For patient volunteers, these MRI scans will be taken before and during your regular radiotherapy course. These scans are vital for developing and testing the new MR Linac machine.

The exact number of visits and the total duration will depend on whether you are a healthy volunteer or a patient. We will collect various MRI scans of specific areas of your body, such as your head and neck, chest, tummy, or pelvis. The team will carefully check the quality of these images to ensure they are useful for the study.

There are no medications or new treatments involved in this study; it is purely about capturing high-quality images. The staff will explain everything in detail, including how long each scan might take and what to expect during your visits.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer several potential benefits. For patients, contributing to this research could directly lead to more precise and effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects in the future. For everyone, you would be helping advance medical science and potentially improve care for countless others. While an MRI is generally safe and doesn't use X-rays, there are always minor risks, mainly related to being in the scanner, such as feeling uncomfortable or claustrophobic, or rarely, reactions to the contrast dye if used (though not mentioned here). You will be carefully screened for MRI safety. Remember, participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Sutton, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an MR Linac?

It's a new machine that combines a powerful MRI scanner with a radiotherapy machine. It helps doctors see tumours much more clearly during treatment.

Why is this new technology better than current methods?

It gives clearer pictures of tumours without using X-rays, so doctors can target treatment more precisely, potentially leading to better results and fewer side effects.

Does taking part expose me to extra radiation?

No, MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves, not X-rays, so there is no additional radiation exposure.

Will I receive any treatment as part of this study?

No, this study is focused on developing and testing the imaging capabilities of the new machine. It does not involve experimental treatments or medications.

Who can be a volunteer?

We are looking for healthy people aged 18+ and cancer patients (aged 3+) undergoing radiotherapy at specific hospitals, who can safely have an MRI.

How to find out more

Greta Bucinskaite

greta.bucinskaite@rmh.nhs.uk +44 20 3186 5157 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.